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Miami Beach committee backs moving historic Blue Star marker to Canopy Park, approves $15,000 refurbishing ask
Summary
A City of Miami Beach committee supported placing an historic Blue Star marker and a new Gold Star marker at Canopy Park and agreed to send the proposal to the full City Commission; staff and the Miami Beach Garden Club plan a roughly $15,000 refurbishment and installation cost, and private donations are allowed by resolution.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee voted by acclamation to send to the full City Commission a proposal from the Miami Beach Garden Club to install a historic Blue Star marker and a new Gold Star marker at Canopy Park.
The committee chair, Commissioner Laura Dominguez, and sponsor Commissioner Fernandez said the markers would honor service members and mark Miami Beach’s World War II ties. Commissioner Fernandez said the Blue Star marker proposed for Canopy Park is the oldest surviving marker in Florida; the Miami Beach Garden Club has refurbished the earlier marker and purchased a new replacement for its Alton Road location.
Parks staff told the committee the parks department supports handling the installation internally rather than placing the plaque along the FDOT right-of-way. John Rebar, Parks Director, told the committee staff is supportive and recommended the marker be placed inside the park. The parks department described a fiscal ask of “about $15,000” to refurbish the historical marker and install the new Gold Star plaque; staff characterized that as a minimal cost given the purpose of the installation.
Committee members noted that Miami‑Dade currently does not have a dedicated Gold Star memorial and said placing the marker at Canopy Park — directly across from a VFW post — would be symbolically appropriate. The city attorney’s office confirmed private donations are accepted but must be approved by City Commission resolution.
The committee approved sending the item to the City Commission with the backing of committee members and a request that the City Commission consider the funding and any private-donation option at its meeting.
The item will appear on the full City Commission agenda for formal approval; the parks department and the Miami Beach Garden Club will provide design and cost details to staff as the Commission considers the request.
